Lake Greenwood is located on the Saluda and Reedy Rivers in the midlands of South Carolina. It was built in the 1930’s by Greenwood County and is one of South Carolinas most popular lakes. The lake is owned by Greenwood Countyand the powerhouse and dam were leased to Duke Energy in 1966. Duke Energy’s lease expired in 2006 and Santee Cooper (electric co-operative) took over the operations of the transmission lines and power house.
- About the Lake Greenwood
- Specifications
- Flying over Lake Greenwood video
- Lake Greenwood quick facts
- How deep is Lake Greenwood?
- Fishing on Lake Greenwood
- Camping at Lake Greenwood State Park
- Real estate
- Explore more South Carolina lakes
- Location
- Lake Greenwood FAQ
- How big and how deep is Lake Greenwood?
- What fish are in Lake Greenwood?
- Why does Lake Greenwood stay full during droughts?
- Can you camp at Lake Greenwood?
About the Lake Greenwood
Lake Greenwood is located in three counties of South Carolina: Greenwood, Laurens, and Newberry. Lake Greenwood probably has about 3/4 of the shoreline filled with houses and boat docks. So, there is very little undeveloped land around this lake. Consequently, this lake is the perfect spot to find the lake house of your dreams. The type and value of homes built on the shoreline varies greatly. Of the major lakes in South Carolina, Greenwood is one of the most affordable lakes to buy or build a lake home.
This reservoir has an excellent bass and crappie fishery. Greenwood also offers a good population of striped bass, and the perfect place to catch them is below the dam. Duke Energy has provided several boat ramps below the dam on both sides of the river and paved parking areas.
Specifications
- Size 11,400 Acres
- Length 20 Miles
- Shoreline 212 Miles
- Full Pond Elevation 440 ft MSL
- Maximum Depth 69.3 ft (SCDHEC)
- Mean Depth 21.8 ft (SCDHEC)
For information on dock permits and other rules and regulations, please go to the official site for Lake Greenwood:
www.Visitlakegreenwood.com
New! South Carolina DNR Fishing Reports – This website provides fishing reports for Lake Greenwood and other major lakes in South Carolina.
If you list your lakeside vacation rental property on HomeAway, we can place the link to your listing on this page for everyone to see. Just contact us through the contact form.
Flying over Lake Greenwood video
Lake Greenwood quick facts
| Surface area | ≈ 11,400 acres · 212 mi shoreline |
| Average depth | about 22 ft |
| Maximum depth | about 69 ft |
| Built / managed by | 1940 (Buzzard Roost Dam), Greenwood County |
| Rivers / counties | Saluda & Reedy · Greenwood, Laurens, Newberry |
How deep is Lake Greenwood?
Lake Greenwood averages around 22 feet and drops to roughly 69 feet in the old Saluda River channel near Buzzard Roost Dam. Because the lake is owned and run by Greenwood County rather than a power utility, it is held remarkably steady — it stays at or near full pool even through severe drought, with only a modest winter drawdown to expose the shallows for fish-spawning habitat. That dependable water level is one of the lake’s quiet advantages for boaters and dock owners.
Fishing on Lake Greenwood
Greenwood is a well-rounded fishery. Anglers catch largemouth bass around the docks and grass, striped and white bass schooling in open water, plus crappie, bream, white perch, channel catfish and even chain pickerel. The county maintains five public boat ramps and has sunk sixteen fish attractors around the lake to concentrate the action — a contour-and-attractor map is well worth having before you launch. Spring and fall are the prime seasons, and the lake fishes well into the cooler months.
Camping at Lake Greenwood State Park
The 944-acre Lake Greenwood State Park was carved out by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s, and that history is told in the park’s Drummond Center museum. Today it offers about 130 paved, electric campsites with hot showers, picnic shelters and boat access — a comfortable, affordable base for a fishing or family weekend. The town of Greenwood and the Ninety Six National Historic Site are both close by for a change of pace.
Real estate
Lake Greenwood waterfront stays more attainable than the Upstate’s luxury lakes — a mix of full-time homes, weekend cottages and dockable lots around Greenwood, Ninety Six and Chappells. If you have a Lake Greenwood property or rental to list here, contact us through the form on the site.
Explore more South Carolina lakes
- Lake Murray — the big lake downstream on the Saluda River
- Lake Hartwell — the Upstate’s largest reservoir to the west
Location
Lake Greenwood FAQ
How big and how deep is Lake Greenwood?
About 11,400 acres with 212 miles of shoreline; it averages roughly 22 feet deep and reaches about 69 feet near the dam.
What fish are in Lake Greenwood?
Largemouth bass, striped and white bass, crappie, bream, white perch, channel catfish and chain pickerel, with five boat ramps and sixteen fish attractors.
Why does Lake Greenwood stay full during droughts?
It is owned and managed by Greenwood County, which holds it near full pool year-round with only a small winter drawdown for fish habitat.
Can you camp at Lake Greenwood?
Yes — Lake Greenwood State Park, built by the CCC in the 1930s, has about 130 electric campsites, shelters and boat access.
moved from tennessee live in abbieville sc love ur lakes